The Medical Assistant program is divided into eight class modules, along with a 160-hour externship, where students apply the skills they learn in the classroom in an actual health care practice setting.

The Medical Assistant program will offer students the opportunity to obtain the knowledge, skills, and techniques needed to function in the medical office or outpatient clinic. The student will receive cognitive laboratory and clinical instruction in administrative and clinical office procedures, medical laboratory tests and procedures, human anatomy, medical terminology, patient psychology, medical ethics, medical law, and pharmacology.

Courses for this program include:

• Seminar for Success - Orientation and success building course for Career Students. Review of basic math, language, vocabulary, and writing skills. Introduction to core career classes, availability of community resources, outlining, summarizing, managing credit, and other life skills. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Medical History and Fundamentals – This course provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the medical paraprofessional and an introduction to medical specialties and subspecialties. This course introduces the student to the structures and functions of the human body. Topics include the history of medicine, the health care team and office environment, interpersonal communications, medical law and ethics, basic keyboarding, and medical terminology. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Medical Office Administration – This course will introduce students to the basic procedures of the daily management of a medical office. Activities and simulation exercises related to practice management are provided throughout the course. Topics covered include telephone techniques; appointment scheduling; word processing projects including resumes and cover letters; insurance claims processing; constructing and managing patient records; medical office management software; and basic keyboarding. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Anatomy & Physiology A – This course will focus on the respiratory and circulatory systems. Students will learn a variety of patient-care skills such as Venipuncture, ECG testing, and specialty exams. Students will practice skills introduced in this course through laboratory exercises. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Anatomy & Physiology B – This course will focus on the lymphatic, immune, digestive, urinary and nervous systems. Students will learn related laboratory skills such as urinalysis and microscope use. Students will practice skills introduced in this course through laboratory exercises. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Anatomy & Physiology C – This course introduces the student to the male and female reproductive systems, and the endocrine, integumentary, sensory, and muscular and skeletal systems. Students will practice skills introduced in this course through laboratory exercises. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Medical Assisting Skills – This course introduces students to basic pharmacology and dosage calculation. Students will assist with medications, injections, and minor surgical procedures. The introduction of related practical skills such as surgical instruments and tray sets, medical asepsis, and sterile gloving are included in the course. This course covers behaviors influencing health, stress reduction, time management skills, and introduces alternative related therapies. Students will practice skills introduced in this course through laboratory exercises. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Medical Assisting Skills and Response Training – This course introduces the students to office emergencies and first aid techniques. Basic Life Support training for the health care provider gives students the opportunity to become CPR certified. Students will practice skills introduced in this course through laboratory exercises. Students will discuss beginning their job search. Outside preparation and study time, in addition to regular classroom activities, is required to complete the class assignments. The type of outside preparation may take the form of homework assignments, projects, reading, and required studying.

• Externship – Upon successful completion of classroom training, medical assisting students will participate in a supervised 160-hour externship experience in medical setting. This course is a requirement for graduation.